Chapter 22: The Revelation

The next day, we roamed around the Baclaran area to find an apartment for rent. We found one along Santa Rita Street and we transferred at once along with Mike Luna's family. We worked together and bought all the household equipment, utensils, furniture, beddings, and food. The apartment was huge enough for us and the Luna family that we incorporated our resources to go on with our lives.

One day, Ayah Isabel wanted to talk to me personally she invited me to a restaurant. We sat down, and ordered some food and drink. She started to cry and looked at me in the eyes.

"What's the matter? Don't cry, tell me what's on your mind Ayah, I'm here to listen...."

"Marco, I'll tell you everything, what's going on while you're not here...but I believed that I've done everything that I could do..."

"Okay go on...I'm here to listen...go on...."

"When you left us, it was very hard for me to balance my new life with our children. For the first few months, you've sent money and I received it, after that day and until now, I did not get any amount at all. I sent you letters about my situation, but you didn't answer me...I was still hoping that nothing bad happened to you. I had some debts and loans everywhere that I couldn't pay it anymore. I was being insulted with all these things Marco..... She cried, even more, when I embraced her totally, and I condemned myself for what I'd done.

"You want to go home now?"

"No Marc...I'm not finished yet....without money and no one to help me...I called Mike to tell Lina if she could help me while I'm away...."

"What, away from where?" I asked.

"Danielle Gustilo met and offered to help me with my situation...paid all my debts and the hospitalization expenses...I'm pregnant Marco when you left us to go to Dubai. I don't have a choice but accept her offer...."

"What, why did you do that?"

"Because you forget your obligation to us, Marco, that's why....."

"But I sent money through Ronnie Ramirez every month, that's the truth, Ayah!"

"The saddest thing was that...after the hospitalization...she had the baby, a boy..."

I was fuming with anger that I left Ayah at the table and went outside; in front of the restaurant, cursing Danielle Gustilo and Ronnie. I got hold of the guard's chair and slashed to the ground. Ayah Isabel went outside to calm me down. I returned to our table with nothing in my mind except to have revenge for them and had my child back.

"Ayah, please forgive me for whatever damaged I had for you....please love...Ayah, please forgive me?" I cried asking Ayah's forgiveness.

"I love you truly Marc, and our children....they're the most important thing in my whole life...."

"Do you know where Danielle's staying?" as I dried my tears with a handkerchief.

"No, Marc, she didn't give me anything....address, contact number....she just took it....and disappeared...."

"Okay love, calm down, okay? I have to go to Bacolod City.....in Edward's place to get some information and loan some amount from him. Ayah Isabel, for now, be very careful and our children too. Did Mike and Lina know about this?"

"Yes, Marco.....they're here helping me coped with my emotional outburst...."

"We'll go home now to pack my personal things....come, Ayah...."

"Okay, Marco."

We went home to our new apartment where Ayah prepared some personal things for me in a bag. I kissed her goodbye and the three children. I hailed a taxi cab going to Manila Domestic Airport and got an emergency ticket which I was lucky enough to have.

XXX

It was in...

The year 1987 on November 2, when I went to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

I was seated in a waiting lounge but my mind kept on wondering what and how to go on with my new challenge or was it a part of my dreams? I cursed Danielle more than ever, like a bursting fire of a dragon capable of killing her in an instant.

Waiting for my flight schedule was like a thousand years of deluge within me. But everything has an ending, I

thought even the minute cells that lived for a hundred years and even Danielle. The more I wanted to erase my thoughts about Danielle, the more it entwined within my soul.

At last, I boarded the plane going to Bacolod City for two hours without any hassles. I've got a taxi cab going to Lacson Street where his office and restaurant of Edward Ramirez are. It was seven in the evening when I arrived where I observed the surrounding of the vicinity.

The Ilonggo Inasal Restaurant was beautifully constructed according to its concept, I observed. Edward had made his fortune out of hard work and determination, even though he never dreamed to work abroad. I never realized this notion before I knew Edward when I was a struggling student. He's been my best friend before, until now, but I thought, I did not give him much attention as he did to me. Ronnie Ramirez, his son in Dubai, got to be the reason why Ayah Isabel had done such a decision in times of financial difficulty. But also, I had done so much damage to her. My bruised ego as a father confirmed deep inside of me that I had to do whatever it takes to be done. Nevertheless, it's my life and my family that put me in danger after the aftermath of my never-ending dreams. I entered the restaurant and approached the counter server, "Hi, do you know Mr. Edward Ramirez...I mean the owner, is he inside the office?"

"Yes sir, just a minute, I'll send someone to call him."

"Okay thank you."

I got my order, seated, and began to eat while eyeing for Edward to appear. It's been half an hour that I stayed waiting for him. I approached the cashier and asked again.

"Hi, where's Mr. Edward Ramirez?"

"Sir, he said, wait for him, sorry..."

I sat back again and ordered a cup of coffee, still waiting for him. At last, he appeared with a briefcase approaching me at the table.

"Hello my best friend, how are you now?" He greeted me smiling extending his arms and embracing me.

"I'm just quite agitated...here I am, just arrived from Dubai. You're getting rich my friend!" I said while embracing him.

"Not at all...just luck!" He distanced himself from me a bullet went through the restaurant wall, hitting the wooden part of the menu board. Another bullet kept on coming from nowhere which made the people inside, panic and chaos ensued.

"Marco, come with me....quick, follow me at the back door!!" Edward grabbed my arm.

I followed Edward not knowing what happened or why? We entered into his car and drove past Lacson Street heading to the city center, then, along the narrow alley going to the vacant lot near the devastated building.

"Marco, come on, quickly, get the spade and help me.....quick..." Edward demanded.

"What's going on Edward....what's going on...tell me now!!!"

"Marc, there's no time....please...I'll explain it to you later, okay? Trust me."

I nodded without saying a word, "Okay friend." We worked together to dig the two wooden boxes, brought them to the car, and speeded up towards the north of Negros Occidental. We stopped at the supermarket; got some food, personal necessities, and other things that we need at that moment. We continued traveling still heading north.

"Marc, my friend, are you hungry? Help yourself."

"I'm full...in your restaurant....waiting for you, isn't it, my friend?

"Oh, so sorry about that....and about what happened at the restaurant. I know them....those people...I mean...."

"What? You have knowledge about those shootings?" I asked perplexed.

"Yes, but don't worry, I'll tell you all when we get there."

"Where my friend?"

"My place in Bantayan Island....I've told you before, where I grew up...remember?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Now, it's the time to have a vacation there."

"Edward, I've got two months for my vacation here in the Philippines and I have to go back to Dubai for my job. I cannot stay here...."

"Don't worry my friend, I'll tell you everything even the Dubai thing."

"What Dubai thing, Edward?"

"Ahhhhh, forget that...we're here at the small port of Cadiz City. But please....don't say anything, I'm the one in-charge...okay friend?"

I looked at him believing that Edward has the guts to do things his way. The other side of him that I didn't know beforehand, a trait that made me think I was a neophyte. The trust that I showed to him matters somehow.

Edward paid the two laborers to unload the wooden boxes, and also the whole payment went to Bantayan Island. He talked to the personnel about this baggage which I didn't have much knowledge about it.

XXX

It was in...

The year 1987 on November 3, when we stayed in Bantayan Island, part of Cebu Territory, Philippines.

We traveled for almost an hour when I viewed the small port of Bantayan Island. It's such a big waiting shade with a restaurant, benches, and a ticket booth. The men unloaded the passenger baggage and a car.

"Edward, your car's with us too?"

"Yes, my friend. My house, I think... five minutes ride only....come on, let's go!"

We arrived at the bungalow house where Edward's parents greeted us, seated on the long-drawn sofa, and rest for a while.

"Ma, please call Larry..." Edward told his mother. A handsome lad appeared, smiled, and gave respect to us.

"Marco, this is Larry, brother of Ronnie, newly graduated from Cebu Technological University....with Engineering course." Edward introduced his son, and a handshake ensued.

"How are you, Mr. Fernando?"

"I'm fine son, congrats!"

"Thank you, Sir!"

"Larry, help your Grandma and Grandpa cook our lunch, okay son?" Edward said to Larry.

"Okay Papa, I'll do it. Nice meeting you sir...Bye, sir Marco."

"Bye son, see you!"

Edward's parents prepared our lunch at the table with Larry; beef meat stew with red beans, broiled chicken, shrimps, and crabs. I enjoyed eating with them; it made me forget the troubling moments of my life and longing for a happy family living.

After our lunch, Edward drove me to the beach; brought a tent, table, and two chairs, two bottles of whisky, a bag of ice cubes, and a bucket. Also, brought some food as appetizers for drinking liquor and I had the feeling that this was it.

Together, we assembled the tent, table, and chairs. Put the food, bottle of whisky, and bucket of ice cubes at the table. I poured mine and Edward too. We looked over at the vastness of the sea, felt the cool breeze, and settled with our drinks. For our second glass, I looked at him straight to the eye and began the conversation.

"How's everything for you for the past seven years, since I left you in Bacolod City? I think you've got what you wanted in life?" I asked and smiled at him.

"Marco, my friend, not really....you know, since yesterday, you had asked me about the shooting incident inside my restaurant, isn't it?"

"Yes, who are they, Edward?"

"You still remember, Danielle or Governor Gustilo?"

"How can I forget those people friend...they gave me much trouble with my life and why Edward! It angered me instantly.

"Cool friend, let's be cool with our conversation okay Marco?"

"Okay Edward, I'll try...fine...okay...go on...: as I stood up opening my arms to him.

"Do you think, you as my friend, Marco Fernando, did not give much troubled to them?" asked Edward. I kept my silence for his question which I thought to be true, or was it a consequence of my desire to uplift my life's standards? "Okay Marco, I have to tell you everything from where you left me behind....where I started this kind of life? You know, as a friend, you've left me here in Bacolod City without any weapon to Gustilo's family. Of course, the Governor has lots of influences and armies to track us down. Joel Arevalo and I had been kidnapped by the Governor's men; kept on that place where we saved you and Ayah Isabel. We were questioned, beaten, drugged and I did not say anything about you, but for Joel Arevalo, I don't know...."

"Sorry about it Edward...and where's Joel Arevalo now? What happened next?" I asked eager to explode.

"Marco, please listen to me, don't blow your head without listening to my story first, okay? The Governor offered a large sum of money to me.... to make your life miserable...."

"But how can you do this to me, Edward....how!!!" I stood up and grabbed Edward's body where both of us were squabbling in the sand. We fought hand-to-hand that each of us was tired of what we were doing, rested for a while, and stood up back to our chairs.

I settled on my chair, poured two shots of whisky, and gulped it bottoms up. Edward too poured his drink and sipped a little.

"Okay Edward, go on....please...go on...I need to know why!!" I shouted at him with fury.

"Are you alright now, Marco? Do you still want to know?"

"I'm okay...go on...."

"You have to listen to my side first, then, that's the time you'll accuse me, okay Marco?"

"Okay...I said okay...go on...."

"Governor Gustilo got some information about you, told me to talk to Ronnie about going to Dubai for employment together with you. He influenced the Manpower Agency for Ronnie to be an assistant store manager. As far as I know, Danielle Gustilo owned and managed four manpower agencies to date. I know everything that Ronnie did to you in Dubai...I'm very sorry for that Marco...please forgive me and my son Ronnie...I'm doing what the Governor had told me to do. I think you understand my situation friend...And, as far as I know, Joel Arevalo got the money and job through Danielle, but I don't know where he is right now. I am very sorry friend.."

"Okay tell me more Edward...I want to know all..."

"My restaurant business in Bacolod City is just my front in the eyes of Governor Gustilo, who threatened me from the beginning up to the shooting incident in the restaurant...you know, he had me watched all along, and I think, Danielle knew that you're here in the Philippines. But, I kept my wealth separately from him, when worst comes to worst....like what happened to us...so, I have to hide from him too...Our government system was greatly changed since Former President Marcos was ousted by the EDSA Revolution, and that, our traditions...."

"What about your restaurant business in Bacolod City?"

"Forget that thing...matters will be undertaken by the government and of course, Governor Gustilo. He has the means to influence people within his whims. I have to find another way to live outside the wings of Governor Gustilo...And, our problems right now cannot be depended upon by the proper authorities, leaders don't trust other leaders, and we have to move on with our lives. I have my wealth...with me...Really, sorry for the money that Ronnie....did not..."

"I have to think of the future....the past still agitated me especially Ronnie didn't send all the money to Ayah Isabel which made her miserable when I left her in Manila. The other thing that I greatly condemned about Danielle....she took my baby boy as payment...."

I cried while telling Edward about Ayah. "That's why I'm here before you, to borrow an amount that I could use to track down Danielle."

"Marco, there's no problem about money, the thing is...right now, I think Governor Gustilo's planning for something big for you and me...and Danielle too! They both damaged you!... but can I go with you with your plans?..... I'm on the run now...I have the money remember?"

"Can we go tomorrow.....for a start?"

"Yes, we can go tomorrow if you want, can I, my friend....together again?"

"Hmmmmm....yes, but be loyal to our friendship, okay best friend?"

"Okay...fine best friend!"

XXX